Microsoft® Windows® User Experience

Author Microsoft Corporation Pages 624 Disk N/A Level Int/Adv Published 09/08/1999 ISBN 9780735605664 ISBN-10 0-7356-0566-1 Price(USD) $49.99 To see this book's discounted price, select a reseller below.	More Information About the Book Table of Contents Sample Chapter Index Related Series Related Books About the Author Support: Book & CD Rate this book

Index

A
Abbreviations See also Acronyms
    interface text guidelines 432
    path names 276
    window titles
        in taskbar buttons 50
        in title bars 122
About command
    ellipsis in command text, avoiding 437
    purpose of 143
Absolute path to link source 112–114
Accelerated panning 89
Accelerator keys See Shortcut keys
Access bars See Desktop, toolbars
Access keys See also Shortcut keys
    assigning
        guidelines 60, 432
        recommended assignments 525
    defined 60
    double-byte language conventions 508
    duplicate assignments 61, 432
    for active object menus 347–348
    for check box labels 168
    for command buttons 161
    for controls in secondary windows 215
    for drop-down combo boxes 184
    for menu items 157
    for menu titles 157
    for option button labels 165
    for primary container menus 347–348
    for sliders 192
    for spin boxes 185
    for static text fields 186
    for text fields 180
    for toolbars and status bars 200
    localization issues 506, 508
    overview 60
    registry settings 282
Accessibility
    accessibility aids 482–484
    Bibliography and resources 541
    captions for sound 478
    cognitive disabilities 481
    color of interface components 489
    compatibility with screen review utilities 484–487
    documentation, providing alternate formats 492
    graphic design considerations 458
    graphics output 486–487
    hearing disabilities 480
    High Contrast setting 489
    HTML pages 491
    icons 487
    key combinations and sequences 61, 524
    keyboard and mouse interface 490
    keyboard filters 483
    keyboard support 18, 61
    language disabilities 481
    Microsoft Active Accessibility
        graphics output 486
        input focus 487
        screen-review utilities 483
        text output 486
    navigational interface 488
    on-screen keyboards 483
    overview 479–480
    packaging, easy-to-remove 492
    physical movement disabilities 481
    scalability 489
    screen enlargement utilities 482
    screen review utilities 482–487
    seizure disorders 481
    ShowSounds option 478
    sound 477–478
    SoundSentry option 478
    StickyKeys feature 61
    support services, providing 492
    terminology for disabilities 446
    text output 486
    time-based interface 488
    types of disabilities 480–481
    usability testing 493–494
    user's point of focus 487–488
    visual disabilities 480
    voice input systems 483
    Web-style applications 261, 491
    window titles 487
Acronyms 432–433 See also Abbreviations
Activating objects See also Embedding and linking objects
    container control 339
    deactivating embedded objects 343
    enabling editing of object content 338
    inside-out activation 339
    outside-in activation 338–339
Activating windows 123–124
Active Accessibility
    graphics output 486
    input focus 487
    screen-review utilities 483
    text output 486
Active Desktop items
    caching content 306
    creating 305–306
Active Documents, hosting 198
Active end of selection 70, 79
Active hatched border 344–345
Active object menus 346–347
Active selection 469–470
Active voice 444
Active window 123–124
ActiveX Controls, hosting 198
Add command 436
Add mode key 79
Address format for international software 508
Adjusting mouse selections 71–77
Adornments
    clipping 352
    displaying for active objects 340, 349
    illustrations 349
    positions for interface controls 350
Advanced users, designing for 38
Aesthetics 29
Affirmative writing style 441, 443
Alert messages See Message boxes; Warning messages
Alignment of interface elements 455–456
Alignment of numbers 438
All Users folder 274
alt key See also Keyboard interface
    access key combinations 60
    accessing drop-down menus 141
    activating menu bars 141
    closing a drop-down menu 141
    localization issues 506
    modifier key combinations 61
    shortcut key combinations 63, 522
    StickyKeys accessibility feature 61
alt +~ key combination 506
alt +arrow key combination 141, 148
alt +double-click 84
alt +enter key combination 84
alt +esc key combination 63, 123
alt +f4 key combination 84
alt +f6 key combination 210
alt +hyphen key combination 266
alt +number key combinations 63, 506
alt +spacebar key combination 63, 148
alt +tab key combination
    order of window switching 62
    reserved for system use 63
    restoring the display from full-screen view 314
    restoring windows 128
    switching between windows 123
    unavailable for MDI implementations 269
Alternate text
    accessible HTML pages 491
    capitalization 435
Always on Top property
    application desktop toolbars 313
    palette windows 148, 241
    secondary windows 211
Amplitude for system sounds 309
Anchor point See also Mouse interface summary
    keyboard selection 79
    mouse selection 70
Animated pointers 469
Animation, designing 475
ANSI character sets 507
Anthropomorphism, avoiding 249
Apostrophe, using contractions in text 435
Appbars See Desktop, toolbars
Application Data folder 10, 273–274
Application files See File system; Installation
Application icons See also Icons
    commands in shortcut menus 149, 265
    designing 459–463
    displaying in title bars 119–120
    illustration 460
    on the desktop, avoiding 294
    on the Quick Launch bar, avoiding 301
    registering 281
    shortcut menus for 148–151, 265
    usage guidelines 462–463
Application installation See Installation
Application key 63, 146–148
Application path information, registering 289–290
Application shortcuts, adding to Start menu 294–295
Application state information, registering 287–289
Application windows, title text 447
Applications for the Web See Web-application interface
Apply command 94, 220
Arrow keys See also Keyboard interface
    accessing drop-down menus 141
    accessing window shortcut menus 148
    basic function of 66
    for contiguous selection 79
    for scrolling 134
    navigating between controls 215
    switching between tabs 193
    with list boxes 171, 175
    with list view controls 178
    with the alt key 141, 148
    with the ctrl key 66
    with the shift key 79
    with tree view controls 179
Arrow pointers 56
Assessment See Usability testing
Associating file types 283, 286
Attributes See Properties
Audio feedback
    accessibility considerations 480
    importance of 29
    using sound as notification 477–478
Audio themes 307–308
Auto-exit text boxes 182
Auto-hide behavior
    application desktop toolbars 313
    taskbar 314
Auto-joining 92
Auto-repeat behavior for scrolling 130
Auto-scroll See Automatic scrolling
Auto-selection 78
Autoexec.bat file 293
Automatic configuration of client software 297
Automatic resizing of MDI windows 267
Automatic scrolling
    dragging objects 104–106
    overview 133–134
    using a wheel-button mouse 89
Automatically updating links 357
Automating user assistance See Wizards
AutoPlay feature, supporting 299

B
Back command 259
Backgrounds
    color schemes 308
    desktop wallpaper 307–308
    Web views for folders 306–307
backspace key 92
Balance in visual design 411
Balloon tips See also ToolTips
    capitalization of text 197
    controls for 195–197
    for status indicators 302
    illustrations 195–196
    interaction 195
    overview 195–197
    pop-up windows for 250
    text appearance 197
    time-out value, setting 196–197
Basic Windows elements
    desktop 47–48
    icons 51–52
    Quick Launch bar 49
    Start button 49
    status notification area 50
    taskbar 48–50
    window buttons 50
    windows 52
Batch-file setup 295
Beginning users, designing for 37
Bibliography 539
Bitmaps See Graphic design
Blinking cursor 429, 481
Block cursor (overtype mode) 91
Bold text
    avoiding for hyperlinks 474
    conventions used in this book v
    guidelines for using 415, 431
Book icons in HTML Help 388–389
Book-title-style capitalization 433
Borders
    color
        basic border styles 418
        embedded or linked objects 332
    fixed-width, avoiding 418
    for active embedded objects 344–345
    for controls 417–418
    for embedded or linked objects 332–333
    for windows
        border style 419
        described 118
        resizing windows 126–127
    illustrations 417–423
    styles
        basic border styles 417–418
        button border style 419–421
        field border style 421
        grouping border style 422–423
        status field border style 422
        window border style 419
Branding
    avoiding in dialog boxes 307
    in Web view folders 307
    localization issues 495
Breaking links 361–362
Brevity of interface text 440–441
Browse command 436 See also Browse for Folder dialog box
Browse operation, defined 82
Browser for Folder dialog box 234–235
Browser-hosted applications See Web-application interface
Browsing
    Browse for Folder dialog box 234–235
    defined 82
    WebBrowser control 198–199
Browsing buttons in HTML Help 398
Browsing the file system 227
Bulleted list guidelines 439
Bundled applications, installing 293
Buttons See also specific type of button
    border style 419–421
    browsing buttons in HTML Help 398
    capitalization of labels 434
    check boxes 167–170
    command buttons 160–163
    default buttons in secondary windows 213–214
    flashing a taskbar window button 303
    Help command button 380–381
    layout and spacing 451–454
    menu buttons 162
    mouse buttons 57–58
    option buttons 164–166
    outlining buttons in HTML Help 397–398
    shortcut buttons in HTML Help 396
    size guidelines 450
    split-button 203
    stacking in secondary windows 454
    taskbar window buttons 50, 124, 300
    title bar buttons 122–123
    toolbar buttons See Toolbars
    toolbar frame control 203
    triangular arrow graphic, avoiding 458
    unfold button 212
    using for object creation 111
    using in Web-style applications 261
    using to display menus 163
    visual states
        flat appearance 430
        hot-tracked appearance 429
        input focus appearance 429
        mixed-value appearance 426–427
        option-set appearance 425–426
        pressed appearance 423–425
        unavailable appearance 427–428
    window buttons 50, 124

C
Cached files
    location for storing 10, 273
    managing with disk cleaners 10, 276
Caching content for Active Desktop items 306
Calendar format for international software 508
Calendar month display control 188–189
Cancel command
    access key assignments, avoiding 60
    accessing in secondary windows 216
    canceling drag-and-drop operations 104
    canceling the closing of a property sheet 222
    discarding pending transactions 94
    esc key 60
    in dialog boxes 225
    in message boxes 245–246
    in property sheets 220
    in the Open dialog box 228
    in the Save As dialog box 232
    in wizards 401
    vs. Close command 84
Canceling software installation 296
Capitalization
    conventions used in this book v
    file type names 280
    general guidelines 433–435
    illustration of interface text 433
caps lock key 61
Captions for speech and sound 478
Caret See Insertion point
Cascade command 269
Cascading menus 151–152
Cascading secondary windows 212–217
Case conversion 507
CD-ROM AutoPlay feature, supporting 299
CD-ROM setup option 295
Change Icon dialog box 361
Character keys
    localization issues 506–507
    text keys for text entry 59
    using as access keys 60–61
    using as shortcut keys 62
Character sets
    ANSI 507
    multiple, supporting 21, 507
    UNICODE 507
Characteristics of objects 42
Check boxes
    border style 421
    capitalization of labels 169, 435
    checked state 167
    cleared state 167
    flat appearance 430
    illustrations
        filtering list contents 169
        flat appearance 430
        labeling another control 170
        layout and spacing 451
        mixed-value appearance 168, 426
        option-set appearance 425
        pressed appearance 424
        set of check boxes 167
        unavailable appearance 427, 428
    instructional text 170, 445
    keyboard interaction 168
    label appearance 169–170
    layout 450–457
    mixed-value appearance 167–168, 427
    mouse interaction 167
    option-set appearance 425–426
    overview 167–170
    pressed appearance 423–425
    size guidelines 449
    unavailable appearance 427–428
Check marks See also Check boxes
    in check boxes 167–170, 425, 427
    in menus 154–155
    terminology for instructional text 445
    using instead of highlighting 470
Checklist for interface design 22
Chevron symbol
    in command button labels 162
    in toolbars 203
    unfold button in secondary windows 212
Child menus See Cascading menus
Child windows See also Multiple-document interface
    described 264
    moving 267–268
    opening and closing 266
    shortcut menus 266–267
    sizing 267–268
    switching between 269
    window design 265–266
Chording 58
Cleaning up the hard disk 10, 276
Clear command 109
Clicking See also Double-clicking; Mouse interface summary
    alt+double-click 84
    click+drag 77
    ctrl+click 71–77, 518
    ctrl+double-click 519
    defined 57, 513
    primary mouse button 57
    secondary mouse button 57
    selecting objects with the mouse 70–77
    shift+click 72–77, 515
    shift+double-click 517
    terminology guidelines 445
Client-server applications, installing 297
Close & Return To command 354
Close button 122, 125
Close command
    closing windows 125
    ellipsis in command text, avoiding 437
    handling pending changes 84, 93
    in shortcut menus 120, 147, 266
    in the File menu 142
    replacing with Close & Return To 354
    vs. Cancel command 84
Closed captions for multimedia content 478
Closing MDI windows 266
Closing property sheets 222
Closing windows 82–84, 125
Closing workbooks 257
Code pages 507
Cognitive disabilities 481 See also Accessibility
Collections of objects
    defined 43
    using the folder metaphor 315
Colloquialisms, avoiding 497
Colon character in text labels 484
Color
    accessibility considerations 413, 480, 489
    as a secondary form of information 414
    Color dialog box 239–240
    cultural considerations 413
    guidelines for visual design 413–415
    High Contrast setting 489
    of active window title bar 123
    of borders
        basic border styles 418
        embedded or linked objects 332
    of handles 471
    of icons 460, 461
    of inactive window title bars 123
    of text hyperlinks 474
    of toolbar images 464
    palette flashes, avoiding 20
    themes 308
    user preferences, supporting 19, 414–415
    using a limited set of 414
Color depth 20
Color dialog box 239–240
Column heading controls
    capitalization of labels 187, 434
    illustration 187
    interaction 187
    label appearance 188
    overview 187–188
    positions for interface controls 350
    shortcut menus for 187
Columns in folder detail view 291
Columns in list view controls 177
COM See Component Object Model
Combo boxes See also List boxes; Text fields
    drop-down combo boxes 183–184
    illustration 183
    overview 183
    scrolling 183
Command buttons
    accessing in secondary windows 214–216
    border style 419–421
    capitalization of labels 162, 434
    default buttons in secondary windows 213–214
    ellipsis in button labels 162
    graphic symbols in button labels 162
    illustrations
        appearance of button states 163
        button layout 455
        examples of command buttons 160
        layout and spacing 451
        menu button 162
        mixed-value appearance 427
        pressed appearance 424
        symbol indicating further information 162
        unavailable appearance 428
    in dialog boxes 225–226
    in message boxes 245–246
    in property sheets 220–221
    in window title bars 122–123
    in wizards 401
    instructional text 163
    keyboard interaction 161
    label appearance 162–163
    layout
        in property sheets 221
        on tabbed pages 455
    menu buttons 162
    mouse interaction 161
    overview 160–163
    size guidelines 449
    stacking in secondary windows 454
    terminology for describing selection 445
    title bar buttons 122–123
    triangular arrow in menu button 162
    unavailable appearance 427–428
    unfold button 212
    using to display menus 163
    visual states
        mixed-value appearance 427
        pressed appearance 424
    vs. toolbar buttons 163
Command method of transferring objects
    Create Shortcut command 325
    overview 97–100
    Paste command 322
    Paste Link command 325
    Paste Shortcut command 325
    Paste Special command 323–325
Command-line (batch) setup 295
Commands See also Menu items
    ellipsis in command text 154, 436–438
    registering 281–283
    terminology guidelines 444
    unavailable appearance 153
    verbs 282–283
Common application data, storing 274
Common dialog box interfaces See Dialog boxes
Common Files folder 9, 273
Compact setup option 295
Complexity, managing 30
Component Object Model (COM) 111
Composite, defined 43
Composition
    described 43
    visual design principles 410–412
Compound documents See also Embedding and linking objects
    described 319
    illustrations 320, 332
    single-document window interface 256
Conceptual Help 383–384 See also Help
Config.sys file 293
Configuration of client software 297
Consistency
    importance of 27
    supporting standard system settings 300
    with graphic images 458
    with metaphors 28
    with terminology 444, 496
Constraint, defined 43
Container, defined 43
Containment, defined 43
Content, providing with Active Desktop items 305
Contents page in HTML Help
    guidelines for writing entries 389–390
    icons 388–389
    overview 388–389
    single-click vs. double-click access 389
Context menus See Shortcut menus
Context of objects, described 42
Context-sensitive Help
    accessing 373–376
    avoiding for descriptive elements 377
    canceling Help mode 375
    capitalization of text 377
    common topic for group box labels 377
    drop-down menu access 373
    guidelines for writing 376–377
    illustrations
        accessing What's This? mode 374
        pointer 374
        pop-up window 375
        shortcut menu for a control 376
    interactions 374–376
    pointer shape 374
    pop-up windows 250, 375
    shortcut key access 84, 373, 376
    shortcut menu access 373, 376
    title bar access 373
    toolbar access 373
    What's This? command 150, 373–376
Contextual Help See also Context-sensitive Help; ToolTips
    Help command button 380–381
    illustrations
        Help command button 380
        methods of accessing Help 374
        pointer for context-sensitive Help 374, 375
        shortcut menu for a control 376
        status bar message 379
        ToolTip for toolbar button 378
    overview 373
    shortcut key for displaying 84
    status bar messages 378–380
Contextual operations 80
Contiguous selection
    defined 68
    hierarchical 69
    keyboard selection 79
    mouse selection 72–77
Continuous scrolling See Automatic scrolling
Contractions, using in interface text 435
Control menu (window shortcut menu) 147
Control Panel integration 303–305
Control, putting the user in 25–26
Controls See also specific type of control
    access keys for, defining 60
    accessing in secondary windows 214–216
    balloon tips 195–197
    border styles 417–418
    buttons 160–170
    capitalization of labels 434
    check boxes 167–170
    column headings 187–188
    combo boxes 183
    command buttons 160–163
    compatibility with screen review utilities 484–485
    date picker control 188–189
    defined 158
    drop-down combo boxes 183–184
    drop-down list boxes 175–176
    extended selection list boxes 176–177
    frame adornments 340, 349–352
    group boxes 189
    hot zone 159
    in window title area, avoiding 122
    integrating for active objects 349–352
    labeling
        overview 159
        text guidelines 444
        using static text fields 186
    layout
        alignment 455–456
        general guidelines 448–457
        grouping 454–455
        in dialog boxes 226
        localization issues 498–505
        required and optional input 456
        secondary window design 18
        size guidelines 448–450
        spacing and positioning 451–454
        tabbed pages 455
        toolbars 453–454
    list boxes 170–179
    list view controls 177–178
    multiple selection list boxes 176–177
    option buttons 164–166
    overview 158–160
    placing adjacent to scroll bars 135
    progress indicators 189–190
    property sheet controls 190
    rich-text boxes 182
    scroll bars 191
    shortcut key input controls 186–187
    shortcut menus for 146, 159
    single-selection list boxes 173–174
    sliders 191–192
    spin boxes 184–185
    static text fields 185–186
    status bars 199, 205
    supporting object creation 111
    tabs 193–194
    text boxes 181–182
    text fields 180–181
    toolbar frame 202–203
    toolbars 199, 349–352
    ToolTip controls 194–195
    tree view controls 178–179
    unlabeled, providing ToolTips for 201
    user interface text See Text guidelines
    visual states
        flat appearance 430
        hot-tracked appearance 429–430
        input focus appearance 429
        mixed-value appearance 426–427
        option-set appearance 425–426
        overview 423
        pressed appearance 423–425
        unavailable appearance 427–428
    WebBrowser control 198–199
Conventions for supporting operations 80–90
Conventions used in this book v
Convert command 364
Convert dialog box 364–366
Converting object types 364–366
Copy command
    creating new objects 110
    described 96
    ellipsis in command text, avoiding 436
    feedback not required for 107
    in icon shortcut menus 149, 150
    replacing last entry on Clipboard 100
    supporting for list boxes 171
Copy Here command 103
Copy To command 100
Copy-hook handler 291
Copying files during software installation 292–294
Copying objects See also Transfer operations
    command method 97–100
    described 96
    direct manipulation method 100–106
Corporate branding See Branding
CPL integration See Control Panel integration
Create Shortcut command 149, 325
Create Shortcut Here command 103, 326
CreateWindow function 427
CreateWindowEx function 427
Creation date, preserving 275
Creation operations See also Embedding and linking objects
    using controls 111
    using templates 111
    with the Copy command 110
    with the Insert command 111
    with the New command 111
Critical messages 243
Cross-references
    links in HTML Help indexes 393
    Related Topics links 382, 397
Cryptic file names, avoiding 10, 274
ctrl key See also Keyboard interface
    adjusting mouse selections 71, 73–77
    disjoint selection 71, 73–77
    displaying shortcut keys in menus 158
    modifier key combinations 61
    modifying mouse actions 518–519
    navigation key combinations 66
    region selection 77
    shortcut key combinations 62, 522–523
    StickyKeys accessibility feature 61
    transfer operations 110
    zooming with the mouse 90
ctrl+alt key combination 506
ctrl+c key combination 110
ctrl+click 71–77, 518
ctrl+double-click 519
ctrl+drag 71–77, 110, 518
ctrl+f6 key combination 269
ctrl+o key combination 84
ctrl+page down key combination 193
ctrl+page up key combination 193
ctrl+plus key combination 178
ctrl+press 518
ctrl+spacebar key combination 78
ctrl+tab key combination 255, 269
ctrl+v key combination 110
ctrl+x key combination 110
Cultural considerations See Localization
Currency format 508
Cursors See also Insertion point; Pointers
    blinking 429, 481
    flash rate, adjusting 481
    indicating the input focus 66, 91
    mouse pointers 55–57
    overtype mode 91
    role in keyboard selection 78
Custom dictionaries, storing 273
Custom setup option 295
Customization of user interface 25
Customize command 436
Cut command
    ellipsis in command text, avoiding 436
    feedback for 107
    in icon shortcut menus 149, 150
    replacing last entry on Clipboard 100
    supporting for list boxes 171